Notes: Also ran track as a prep (110-meter hurdles). Highly recruited Texas prep who chose A&M over offers from Florida, LSU and Oklahoma, among others. As a 215-pound true freshman "Whip" 'backer in 2007, played in nine games and collected 22 tackles, four for loss and two sacks with a forced fumble. With Michael Bennett and Cyril Obiozor entrenched at the defensive ends in '08, Miller started 4-of-12 games on the weak side and tallied 44-7½-3½ with two forced fumbles. Wore jersey No. 24 against Arkansas to honor paralyzed high school teammate. Shifted to the "Jack" (hybrid rush end/linebacker) in '09 and led the nation in sacks and led the Big 12 in tackles for loss by registering 48-21½-17 with five batted passes and four forced fumbles. Won the Butkus Award in '10 despite battling a right ankle sprain sustained in the season opener against Stephen F. Austin - led the conference in sacks by registering 68-17½-10½ with six pass breakups, one interception and three forced fumbles in 13 starts. Team captain.

Positives: Exceptional first-step quickness, bend and burst. Very agile and instinctive. Loose-hipped and ankled. Can run the hoop a foot off the ground and close to the quarterback in a blink. Explosive mover and body power. Rare first-step quickness, acceleration and burst - has huge, strong, quick-twitched hamstrings and fires off the ball. Can shock defenders with his punch - plays bigger than his size. Outstanding athletic ability. Has shown he can change games on third downs (see three third-down stops against Oklahoma). Knifes into the backfield and hits through contact with explosion. Showed he could take over and dominate games. Moved like a rabbit through bag drills at the Combine despite knocking one over and finished. Showed well at the Senior Bowl, proving he could play well on his feet in space. Very secure open-field tackler. Outstanding production. Clocked DB-like times in the 20-yard shuttle (4.06 seconds) and 3-cone drill (6.70), better than any other outside 'backer at the Combine, and recorded a 37-inch vertical jump. Is hardworking and humble and will play through injury.

Negatives: Not a smashmouth, physical linebacker who breathes fire, and lacks the swagger associated with many special talents. Does not always compete hard at the point of attack (despite possessing shock in his hands) and at times appeared to be saving himself as a senior, showing lapses against the run. Is a tad on the light side - reported to the Senior Bowl at 237 pounds and weight dropped closer to 230 during the season - needs to add and maintain bulk. Was immature early in his career and has yet to become a vocal leader.

Summary: A special talent with all the physical tools desired in an elite pass rusher. Has drawn comparisons from longtime NFL evaluators to former Chiefs 1989 fourth overall pick Derrick Thomas and possesses the most explosive edge burst in this year's draft. Sack production slipped when playing through an ankle injury early as a senior, but came on very strong down the stretch and proved he could be a difference maker. Has the traits to change games the minute he steps foot on an NFL field and is every bit worthy of a top-five pick. Does not exactly fit the prototype, but is a havoc-wreaking disruptor with his hand on the ground and has perennial Pro Bowl potential as a 3-4 outside 'backer or 4-3 speed rusher.